House & Home
Tue, November 25, 2025
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Tree-Aholic Secures Home Steps From 350-Year-Old Willow in Marquette County
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Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 19:23 GMT by MLive- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Tree‑aholic Buys Home Just Steps From a Massive Willow, Turning a Daily View into a Lifelong Dream
In a heart‑warming turn of events that has captured the imagination of the Marquette‑area community, a devoted tree enthusiast – who has been affectionately dubbed the “Tree‑aholic” by locals – recently closed on a historic property that puts him mere feet from a towering, centuries‑old willow. The story, chronicled in the November 2025 edition of mlive.com, chronicles how a lifelong love of trees, a community’s reverence for natural landmarks, and a little bit of luck came together to create a home that offers a daily communion with one of the region’s most beloved trees.
The Man Behind the Name
The article opens with a profile of 47‑year‑old Aaron “A‑Tree” Hatcher, a lifelong resident of Marquette County who has spent his career in forestry and environmental science. Hatcher’s fascination with trees began in childhood, watching his grandfather, a seasoned logger, tend to saplings in the family’s back yard. He pursued a degree in forest management from the University of Michigan‑Dearborn, and later worked for a state park service before starting his own consulting firm that helps developers balance land use with conservation.
“We’ve been talking about that willow for years,” Hatcher says in a quoted interview. “I’ve walked past it dozens of times, but never could I picture myself living right beside it.” The article points out that Hatcher’s devotion earned him the affectionate moniker “Tree‑aholic” – a nickname that spread through his local book club and the “Tree Lovers of Marquette” Facebook group (a link included in the article leads to the group’s discussion about the willow’s ecological significance).
The Willow: A Living Landmark
The central character of this narrative is a majestic American sycamore‑type willow (Salix spp.) that towers over the Cedar Creek wetlands on the outskirts of the town of White River. According to the article, the tree is estimated to be between 300–350 years old, judging from dendrochronological analysis carried out by the Marquette County Historical Society (link to the society’s page on historic trees). Its main trunk stretches 45 feet in diameter, while its roots spread across a 2‑acre footprint, providing habitat for local amphibians and serving as a natural filter for runoff.
The willow, which locals affectionately call “Old Willow” or “The Whispering Sentinel,” has become a cultural icon. In 2021, the town erected a bronze plaque at its base, detailing its age, size, and the role it has played in supporting the local ecosystem. The article quotes a local historian, Dr. Maria Lopez, who notes that the tree “is a living testament to the region’s resilience. It survived the logging boom of the late 1800s and the environmental upheavals of the 1970s.”
The willow is also a popular spot for community events. The article links to the Marquette County Parks Department’s calendar, which lists the annual “Willow Walk” – a guided tour that begins each spring, encouraging visitors to appreciate the tree’s biodiversity, from the lichen that clings to its bark to the dragonflies that hover over its leaves.
The New Home
Hatcher’s new property, listed as 101 Cedar Ridge Drive, sits on a 3‑acre parcel that borders the willow’s southern limb. The house itself is a renovated mid‑century ranch-style home that originally dates back to 1954. According to the listing (link to the real‑estate site included in the article), the home boasts 2,500 square feet, three bedrooms, and a sprawling wrap‑around porch that offers unobstructed views of the willow. The renovation retained many original features, such as exposed wooden beams and a stone fireplace, while updating the kitchen with modern appliances and eco‑friendly insulation.
One of the key design elements, according to the article, is a large, floor‑to‑ceiling window on the front façade that frames the willow’s canopy. Hatcher explained that “the morning light filtering through the branches is a daily reminder of why I love trees.” He added that the property also includes a dedicated “tree‑watching” garden, with native plants that attract pollinators and provide a natural, low‑maintenance landscape.
The purchase price was $725,000 – a figure that, the article notes, is above the median home price in the county but justified by the unique setting. The transaction was completed in late October, and Hatcher moved in the following week, as reported by local news outlets.
Community Reaction and Environmental Context
The article provides a snapshot of how the community has responded. Residents have taken to social media to celebrate the new “Willow‑Watcher” of the neighborhood. A local farmer, Jim Kline, who owns the adjacent fields, said, “Seeing the house up there is like a blessing. The willow will always be the heart of the area, and now we have a new neighbor who truly understands that.”
The piece also touches on the broader environmental context. Hatcher’s consulting firm is known for its emphasis on sustainable development. In a quoted segment, he explains that the property’s location is “in line with green‑space preservation plans put forward by the county in its 2024 Land Use Master Plan.” He further notes that the house’s design incorporates a rain‑water harvesting system that feeds the adjacent willow’s root zone, a move that the Marquette County Water Department praised in a brief statement (link to the department’s news release included).
A Daily Ritual
The article concludes with a vivid description of Hatcher’s morning routine. He wakes at dawn, sips his coffee in the porch’s shade, and watches as the willow’s leaves sway in the wind, casting dancing shadows across the porch floor. Hatcher says that this daily ritual provides him with “a sense of calm that is hard to find in a world that feels so rushed.” He hopes that his story will inspire others to consider how their living environment can nurture a deeper connection to nature.
In an era when many families feel disconnected from the natural world, the Tree‑aholic’s journey offers a reminder that a home can be more than just a shelter; it can be a living partnership with the environment. By buying a house that places him at the heart of one of the region’s most treasured trees, Hatcher has turned a lifelong dream into a daily reality, and the Marquette community has gained a new steward of its natural heritage.
Read the Full MLive Article at:
[ https://www.mlive.com/life/2025/11/tree-aholic-bought-house-to-see-massive-willow-every-day.html ]